Coffee With The Lord

Materialism is a trap – a delusion. 

We think we “can take it with us” … fact is, we can’t.  The only thing that really matters is what endures beyond the grave – eternal values!!  Thought deeply about that today as I read this passage this morning during “coffee with the Lord”!  (Some posts just don’t need much comment J)

“Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, both low and high, rich and poor alike:  My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding…

“Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me— those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches?  

“No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them— the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough— so that they should live on forever and not see decay.  For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others.  Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves.  People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish.  This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings…

“But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself.   

“So do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them… People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish.” (from Psalm 49 NIV)

I think we all tend to think of some people as especially “holy” – “saints” if you want to use the term.  (Incidentally, that is what the word means in a literal sense … “holy ones”)  Truly “holy” people, in our estimation, are very righteous, prayerful, “tuned into God,” knowledgeable about God and His word, kind, generous, given to compassionate acts and recognized as “holy” by others. 

I’m OK with that … there are people like that.  But I think all of that leads to a misconception about who ought to be considered “holy” if we’re not careful. 

In my opinion, one of the really good things about the Reformation was that it led to emphasis that EVERYONE who followed Jesus – that put their trust in Him for salvation and had experienced “new birth” was “holy” – a “saint” if you pleased.  The leaders in the Reformation spoke of “the Priesthood of all believers.”

Sometimes we think of that idea as simply a New Testament idea.  That’s not true…  In my Bible reading this morning I encountered these words in Leviticus in the Old Testament of all places…

“The Lord said to Moses, “SPEAK TO THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY OF ISRAEL AND SAY TO THEM: ‘BE HOLY, BECAUSE I, THE LORD YOUR GOD, AM HOLY!” (Leviticus 19.1-2)  And then a phrase follows over and over again in the following verses that establishes the basis for their “holiness”… “I am the Lord your God!  … I am the Lord your God! … I am the Lord your God!”

So really this is a consistent pattern and principle in the Bible.  Holiness is not something limited to a special caste of people!  It is something that applies to everyone who is a follower of the “Living God”  And the practical application of that in my life is the principle – that truth – that reality – needs to influence and govern every aspect of my daily living!  Oh, I want to be that way in my life, Father God!!

Sharon, my wife, did it just the other day (and believe me, she’s not the only one… I’ve done it too) … So I said to her, “What did you say Dear?” … Her response?  “Oh I was just talking to myself – don’t mind me!” 

You’ve done it too!  And sometimes what you say really matters!

There are two Psalms (many scholars believe they were originally one) where it happens – Psalm 42 and 43.  I read them during my Bible reading during my time of “coffee with the Lord.”

We aren’t sure what “the sons of Korah” (the attributed authors) were going through… several clues pop up through the Psalms… Here’s a few of them…

• A longing – thirst for the Lord, the “Living God”
• Remembrance of times when God’s presence seemed incredibly real as they were going to the house of God – the temple.
• Struggles and taunts from the reproach of enemies: “Where is your God?!”
• The desire and need for God’s vindication and deliverance.
• An inner longing for God’s help and leadership during the oppression of enemies.

So you ask, “What did the writers of this Psalm say to themselves?”  Here it is… and believe me, it’s a healthy form of “self-talk” (three times it is repeated in these two Psalms)…

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? PUT YOUR HOPE IN GOD, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 42: 5, 11; 43:5 NIV)

My recommendation?  When you’re going through a trial or experiencing discouragement – or the Lord seems distant or silent… look in the mirror, talk to yourself, and with faith and conviction affirm it to yourself!  Believe me, you’re not the only one who needs to do this a time or two – or three!